The Raiders’ third-string quarterback had the typical jitters when he made his NFL debut in the Raiders’ 31-10 exhibition win over the Arizona Cardinals.

“Oh, for sure,” Cook acknowledged after Friday’s game. “Ever since I was at Michigan State, every time I played in a game, I was always nervous.

“Even though I wasn’t starting, and I didn’t really play the whole game, there’s always butterflies, especially when you’re playing against the top guys in the world.”

But Cook, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick, looked pretty cool under the pressure. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 71 yards, numbers that would’ve been bigger if an offensive pass interference call hadn’t wiped out a long completion to K.J. Brent.

“I thought it was good,” Cook said of his debut. “Coach (Bill) Musgrave was calling a lot of quick-game stuff, so I could get the ball out of my hands fairly quick. Guys were open. It wasn’t like there was super, super tight coverage, and guys were making plays after the catch.”

The Raiders took a solid approach toward getting their rookie’s feet wet at the NFL level. Starter Derek Carr played the first two series, backup Matt McGloin played through the first possession of the second half, and Cook handled the rest.

Cook, at one point, was so focused on a sideline discussion with quarterbacks coach Todd Downing that he didn’t notice Carr trying to deliver him a cup of water.

“I’m just here to serve,” Carr joked of his water boy duties. “If I’m not in, I’m going to do what I can to help us.”

The Raiders led 17-10 when Cook entered and scored on his first possession and two of the five he guided (with running back George Atkinson III doing the damage both times).

Cook started quickly, hitting Marvin Hall for a short 4-yard completion on his first pass attempt.

“It was just a relief being able to get out there, and your first pass is a completion,” Cook said.

The next play was a short pass out of the backfield to DeAndre Washington that the fellow rookie took 32 yards downfield. Atkinson followed with an electric 53-yard touchdown run.

“I was finally able to go out there and compete against someone other than the Raiders,” Cook said. “To finally get out there and be in a game situation where you could score some points and go on a long drive and go up against an opponent, it’s a lot better.”

Head coach Jack Del Rio was happy with his rookie’s debut.

“I thought Connor played good, especially for his first live action as an NFL quarterback,” Del Rio said.

Carr said he was working to help mentally prepare Cook for his debut.

“I was telling him everything that I thought I would want someone to tell me before my first game,” Carr said. “Right before he went in, just give him a little, ‘Hey man, take a deep breath. See the safety, see the flat, just start going through things slowly in your head.’ I thought he went out there and did great and handled himself great.”

The Raiders’ third-string quarterback had the typical jitters when he made his NFL debut in the Raiders’ 31-10 exhibition win over the Arizona Cardinals.

“Oh, for sure,” Cook acknowledged after Friday’s game. “Ever since I was at Michigan State, every time I played in a game, I was always nervous.

“Even though I wasn’t starting, and I didn’t really play the whole game, there’s always butterflies, especially when you’re playing against the top guys in the world.”

But Cook, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick, looked pretty cool under the pressure. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 71 yards, numbers that would’ve been bigger if an offensive pass interference call hadn’t wiped out a long completion to K.J. Brent.

“I thought it was good,” Cook said of his debut. “Coach (Bill) Musgrave was calling a lot of quick-game stuff, so I could get the ball out of my hands fairly quick. Guys were open. It wasn’t like there was super, super tight coverage, and guys were making plays after the catch.”

The Raiders took a solid approach toward getting their rookie’s feet wet at the NFL level. Starter Derek Carr played the first two series, backup Matt McGloin played through the first possession of the second half, and Cook handled the rest.

Cook, at one point, was so focused on a sideline discussion with quarterbacks coach Todd Downing that he didn’t notice Carr trying to deliver him a cup of water.

“I’m just here to serve,” Carr joked of his water boy duties. “If I’m not in, I’m going to do what I can to help us.”

The Raiders led 17-10 when Cook entered and scored on his first possession and two of the five he guided (with running back George Atkinson III doing the damage both times).

Cook started quickly, hitting Marvin Hall for a short 4-yard completion on his first pass attempt.

“It was just a relief being able to get out there, and your first pass is a completion,” Cook said.

The next play was a short pass out of the backfield to DeAndre Washington that the fellow rookie took 32 yards downfield. Atkinson followed with an electric 53-yard touchdown run.

“I was finally able to go out there and compete against someone other than the Raiders,” Cook said. “To finally get out there and be in a game situation where you could score some points and go on a long drive and go up against an opponent, it’s a lot better.”

Head coach Jack Del Rio was happy with his rookie’s debut.

“I thought Connor played good, especially for his first live action as an NFL quarterback,” Del Rio said.

Carr said he was working to help mentally prepare Cook for his debut.

“I was telling him everything that I thought I would want someone to tell me before my first game,” Carr said. “Right before he went in, just give him a little, ‘Hey man, take a deep breath. See the safety, see the flat, just start going through things slowly in your head.’ I thought he went out there and did great and handled himself great.”

The Raiders’ third-string quarterback had the typical jitters when he made his NFL debut in the Raiders’ 31-10 exhibition win over the Arizona Cardinals.

“Oh, for sure,” Cook acknowledged after Friday’s game. “Ever since I was at Michigan State, every time I played in a game, I was always nervous.

“Even though I wasn’t starting, and I didn’t really play the whole game, there’s always butterflies, especially when you’re playing against the top guys in the world.”

But Cook, the Raiders’ fourth-round pick, looked pretty cool under the pressure. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 71 yards, numbers that would’ve been bigger if an offensive pass interference call hadn’t wiped out a long completion to K.J. Brent.

“I thought it was good,” Cook said of his debut. “Coach (Bill) Musgrave was calling a lot of quick-game stuff, so I could get the ball out of my hands fairly quick. Guys were open. It wasn’t like there was super, super tight coverage, and guys were making plays after the catch.”

The Raiders took a solid approach toward getting their rookie’s feet wet at the NFL level. Starter Derek Carr played the first two series, backup Matt McGloin played through the first possession of the second half, and Cook handled the rest.

Cook, at one point, was so focused on a sideline discussion with quarterbacks coach Todd Downing that he didn’t notice Carr trying to deliver him a cup of water.

“I’m just here to serve,” Carr joked of his water boy duties. “If I’m not in, I’m going to do what I can to help us.”

The Raiders led 17-10 when Cook entered and scored on his first possession and two of the five he guided (with running back George Atkinson III doing the damage both times).

Cook started quickly, hitting Marvin Hall for a short 4-yard completion on his first pass attempt.

“It was just a relief being able to get out there, and your first pass is a completion,” Cook said.

The next play was a short pass out of the backfield to DeAndre Washington that the fellow rookie took 32 yards downfield. Atkinson followed with an electric 53-yard touchdown run.

“I was finally able to go out there and compete against someone other than the Raiders,” Cook said. “To finally get out there and be in a game situation where you could score some points and go on a long drive and go up against an opponent, it’s a lot better.”

Head coach Jack Del Rio was happy with his rookie’s debut.

“I thought Connor played good, especially for his first live action as an NFL quarterback,” Del Rio said.

Carr said he was working to help mentally prepare Cook for his debut.

“I was telling him everything that I thought I would want someone to tell me before my first game,” Carr said. “Right before he went in, just give him a little, ‘Hey man, take a deep breath. See the safety, see the flat, just start going through things slowly in your head.’ I thought he went out there and did great and handled himself great.”